U.S. Ambassador Exchanges Remarks in Hebrew with Israel President

July 3, 1959

JERUSALEM (Jul. 2)

Ogden R. Reid, United States Ambassador to Israel, presented his credentials today to President Itzhak Ben Zvi at a formal ceremony at which the national anthems of both countries were played by a military band. Prior to the ceremony, the envoy reviewed an Israeli armored unit.

In an informal conversation after the ceremonies, conducted partly in Hebrew, Mr. Reid recalled to President Ben Zvithat he had met the late President and Mrs. Chaim Weizmann as far back as 1947. He said that in his few days in Israel he had been impressed with its accomplishments in many fields. He concluded by stating in Hebrew that he and his wife eagerly looked forward to the opportunity to learn to know the people of Israel.

The President replied with expressions of recognition and gratitude for the “generous and historic support” of the American people to the people of Israel. Mr. and Mrs. Reid will be the guests of Premier and Mrs. David Ben Gurion at their Tel Aviv residence, tomorrow.